Comments by user: lasvegaspoetsorganization
The state of poetry in Vegas has never been greater or richer than it is now. Since my arrival in Las Vegas in 1996, I have seen poetry venues rise and fall. From the before-its-time 'Enigma Roma' to the literally blown to bits Cafe Copiah and to the ever eclectic personal favorite Cafe Espresso Roma, Las Vegas has seen its share of great poetry venues come and go as quickly as hotels/casinos come and go (maybe its a communal thing?). By and large we are just starting the golden age of what is for many cities a poetry scene. We have had poetry slam on the strip in the guise of Poetry Nightclub and we have had features in the past at First Friday. Currently there is poetry at the CAC (The Contemporary Arts Center), the Word-Up Poetry Reading just celebrated its 7th year in Vegas, the Seldom Seen Poetry Reading at Sunrise Coffee will be celebrating its one-year anniversary and the Poets Corner at the West Las Vegas Art Center has been the longest monthly reading in Vegas, spanning close to ten years. One can only wonder what 2010 will bring. And not to toot our own horn, but the Las Vegas Poets Organization will be celebrating its 5th year anniversary next year. We have just launched a new flash website that can rival any local arts organization website and our sole purpose is to promote the art of poetry in Las Vegas, hence our motto: Discover Vegas Poetry.
Yours Sincerely,
Jorge Lara
The Las Vegas Poets Organization
(www.lasvegaspoets.org)
"Together We Can Discover Vegas Poetry"
P.S. Would be great to have a monthly rundown of poetry features and events just like the nightclubs get to have in the Las Vegas Weekly, but then again, i am a dreamer.
VIMMAG OUT NOW!
It is finally here! VIMMAG, the official magazine of the
Las Vegas Poets Organization has been released.
Following the preview at this year's Vegas Valley Book Festival 2008
in early November, VIMMAG has been unleashed to the masses.
VIMMAG (Vim Magazine) is the official magazine of the Las Vegas Poets Organization.
The premiere issue includes poetry from Robert Meyer, Mary L. Carter,
Marvin Scott Marvin, and more. Photos from Mary L. Carter and Marvin
Scott Marvin and interview with Robert Meyer.
Proceeds from the book go to help the Las Vegas Poets Organization
in its pursuit to promote poetry in Las Vegas.
The VIMMAG website at www.vimmag.com has been relaunched.
Currently you can preview the first 14 pages of the
magazine, read about the contributors, and find out about
and contribute to Issue 2 of VIMMAG,
coming in Spring 2009.
Update: VIMMAG Banners are now online.
Promote VIMMAG by placing a cool banner
on your website, blog, MySpace
VIMMAG would like to thank the contributors of the
Premiere Issue:
Rosa Mendoza, president of the Las Vegas Poets Organization
Marvin Scott Marvin (www.spiritcaller.net)
Lauren "ona" Reese (www.onalovebunny.com)
Robert Meyer
Wayne Thomas Crans (www.waynecrans.com)
John M. Grenz
Mary L. Carter (www.marylcarter.com)
Ed Bennett
With a poetry contribution from the Editor-In-Chief and
Executive Director of the Las Vegas Poets Organization,
Jorge Lara Santiago (www.immortalizer.net)
The Premiere Issue of VIMMAG will be making appearances at
other Vegas book festivals in 2009.
Look for reviews of the premiere magazine
soon in upcoming local press.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Following the release of VIMMAG,
The Las Vegas Poets Organization is proud
to announce the next step in
the "DISCOVER VEGAS POETRY" Initiative.
Introducing VIMMAG PUBLISHING.
VIMMAG Publishing will be releasing
books of poetry from up and coming
Vegas poets as well as feature a line
of poetry books from renowned Las Vegas poets.
The poetry books will be promoted on
The Las Vegas Poets Organization website and
release parties at local poetry readings
will be unveiled in the months ahead.
VIMMAG PUBLISHING will officially debut
in April 2009 in time for National Poetry Month.
Stay tuned for an initial list of
authors and more details.
For more information visit
visit, www.vimmag.com, www.lasvegaspoets.org, and
www.vegasslam.com
I commend Joan Lolmaugh, president of the nonprofit MAC and the Metro Arts Council on its plan to launch a web portal that will group every arts agency in the Las Vegas Valley into one master calendar.
When I started the Las Vegas Poets Organization back in 2006 I wanted to do the same but for the local poetry community. Even though we have various poetry groups on the internet, I wanted a website where the poetry groups and venues could join together to promote their venues online and the poetry community could receive
the exposure it deserves. I now receive countless emails from poets wanting to visit Las Vegas to feature and from tourists that never realized that there was a poetry scene in Vegas.
I especially like how every every agency in the city, commercial and noncommercial, can join the site for free. I believe that is the key for any organization to work effectively, organizations will only prosper and grow because of this.
The goal of the Las Vegas Poets Organization, along with its president Rosa Mendoza, is dedicated to the enrichment and exposure of poetry in Las Vegas.
With the help of the nonprofit MAC, our poetry organization as well as countless other local art groups and foundations will reap the benefits of its media exposure.
MAC is indeed something we need, for the artistic and cultural community in Vegas to progress.
Jorge Lara
Las Vegas Poets Organization,
Executive Director
*correction, it is the Enigma Garden Cafe, not the Enigma Roma